Analytical and numerical studies of mass flux dispersed from tapered swirl atomizer with various nozzle cut profiles

Spraying dispersed fluid by swirl atomizer into a main gas stream in order to obtain homogeneous blended flow within a restricted distance from the atomizer position is a significant issue. The dispersal of sprayed fluid mass-flux from the atomizer should be correlated to mass flux distribution of the main flow gas. Consequently, it is essential to control the distribution of liquid mass flux from the injector to match the distribution of main gas flux to attain perfect mixing with identical liquid/gas mass flux ratio all over the pipe. The present study examines the liquid mass flux pattern injected from tapered swirl atomizer having various cut shapes. A mathematical approach to circumferentially evaluate the outlet mass fraction distribution from generalized tapered nozzle cut was analyzed. The derived mass fraction distribution equation is dependent on the flow-angle, the cut-angle, and the arc-angle. A CFD simulation was performed to evaluate the flow angle at the outlet from the nozzle cut. The finding of the present work delivers a guide for researchers and engineers to the preferred injector cut profile to give the best mass flux uniformity. The simulated spray pattern relied on circumferential mass flux at nozzle outlet has been in great coincidence with what depicted by imaging. More studies could be performed to have the most appropriate cut shape of the injector with various flow profiles of the main gas stream.